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Figless

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 

Last spring I bought off Ebay 10 Italian Cuttings Figs. They never rooted. I also bought 3 Brown Turkey Fig plants off Ebay. Then I got 2 Hardy Everbearing Fig plants from Gurney. All 5 of those were looking good. I left them in pots outside. I planed to put them in the ground this year. But they all appear to be dead now. Want to try again. I live 40 miles north of Springfield, MO. Should I look for a different kind? Or should I just had brought them in over the Winter? Or should I had put them in the ground last year?
I also bought 3 Cold Hardy Kiwi plants and did put them in the ground. They also appear dead now. Any body know anything about them too?
Ampersand

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Hi Figless, welcome to the forum. What zone are you located in? That can help determine what varieties may work in your area. Generally, Chicago Hardy is the go-to for cold hardy figs, tastes good and is generally easy to find.

You may also want to look into container growing, since even cold hardy figs north of zone 7 aren't always successful, especially with this past winter. There are many good threads about container growing you can read by searching.

As far your 'Hardy Everbearing', who knows what you actually received, figs are notorious for being mislabeled as you will find if you stick around. They will need winter shelter if in containers in most areas.

Can't help with the kiwi specifically, but it's still early for many plants to be growing, I'd say just wait.
Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Welcome to the forum.  I used to live in central Missouri.  You really want to go with a nursery that has a good reputation for figs or you may end up getting a variety that is mislabeled.  There are lots of cold hardy figs but one that is easily obtainable commercially is Hardy Chicago.  You might look into Durio nursery, Just Fruits and Exotics and Raintree nursery.  Others will likely chime in with additional suggestions.  Good luck.
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Figless

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
looks like I'm in Zone 6A
bigbadbill

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I agree 100% with Kelby.  Sal's is a relative of Chicago Hardy that has done well for me in the ground without protection.  My advice would be to keep the varieties (whatever they may be) in pots for a few years first.  After the 3rd year, you would have better success in the ground rather than exposing it directly to the elements the first year.  Fig trees can tolerate the cold a lot better once they have their "winter coat" on.  By that I mean as the branch gets thicker and stronger, it can handle the elements better. 
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gorgi

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Florea?
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farowyn

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Figless, you usually want to give your figs a couple years before placing them in ground if you have 6a type of winters. I'm 6a as well. I bought hardy kiwis last year. I put them in my cellar over the winter, along with my figs. They are busting out new leaves now. I think most of my figs will most likely stay in containers except for a very few. I will most likely put my kiwis in ground this year, but I'm far from an expert on either.
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Jeff Central OH- Zone 6a Wish list-anything that will ripen in zone 6a.Souadi(obsessed with this one), Takoma Violet, Col de Dame anything -currently rooting: MBVS, DK, RdB, VdB. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
Grasa

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
I had no lucky with some of the italians and Hardy chicago here in cold, soggy Seattle, however, I have an amazing fig which the tag is missing. it produces beautiful and delicious figs.  I may have some cuttings to spare. pics of it, here:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/my-unknown-purple-with-amber-6457188
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Grasa
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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Hardy Kiwis are much hardier than figs and should have survived easily. I'd give them a little more time If you don't see new growth I'd consider going back to your supplier and asking if they will replace them 
Sas

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
No matter what, your figs even the hardy ones, will need protection for the first few years. They must be wrapped properly if left outside when young.

http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/garden-detective-1.812029/how-to-wrap-a-fig-tree-for-the-winter-1.1595049
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Figless

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
That video looks like it would only work while the tree is very small.
Would I need to continue wrapping even once the tree is bigger?
This time I plan on moving the trees in for the first two or three years. 
Then plant in the ground. 
Then for wrapping out side I planned on a blanket or bed spread. (I can get them for $.79 a pound at the Good Will Outlet store) Put the blanket over the tree then put tarp or plastic sheeting over that. Wrap it a little loose around the bottom so it can breath. Might wrap the trunk with towels and felt paper. Then mulch the roots real good. Got that idea from Mike McGroarty. I sure some of you are familiar with him.
Does that sound like a good plan?
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